[Agent2Be]

Parking issues at Liberty are indicitive of any other University in the US. Be glad as a resident that you can have a car. A parking garage would be helpful, but does it really suck so bad to walk? I had a car and lived in the circle, and I hated walking to the pit. When I was there, the pit was exclusively known as the massive, unpaved parking lot by the senior dorms. I may have forgotten how bad the walk was, but at least I had a car. Living off campus made it really tough to find a place to park and may times I had to walk from the scary lot in David's Place, but you know what, at least I could live off campus. A parking garage would be nice, but you guys will survive without one.

I guarantee that a shuttle service will do nothing to increase attendance. Winning increases attendance.

[TDDance234]

The walk isn't bad, when it isn't 30 degrees outside with the wind-chill making it somewhere around 15. The Pit being paved surely as an upgrade but to have something like 2000 people in the circle and maybe a little over 300 parking spots is ridiculous.

[LUconn]

Get rid of freshman cars. It's pretty standard around the country if the school lets anybody have cars on campus. I didn't bring my car as a frosh and I got around just fine.

[El Scorcho]

...but to have something like 2000 people in the circle and maybe a little over 300 parking spots is ridiculous.

No, it's not. Complaining about the walk from the pit to any dorm on the circle is ridiculous.

When you do it wearing a skirt in slightly above freezing weather every single day for four years, then you might have something to complain about. In other words, props to the female LU alumni who survived the original dress code.

[TDDance234]

I can complain about whatever I want, I'm paying 13k per year to be here, so I have every right.

In my opinion, that's the major downfall in Liberty. They want to spend money on building "new" things that aren't nec. right now and leave things half-done. Does anyone even know what's on the third floor of DeMoss? When finished, it will probably add 30 more classrooms instead of having to sit through class listening to drilling, etc. in North Campus. What about the circle? These were meant as temporary dorms in what, 1975? It's now 2006 and they are in about the worse shape possible.

Before Liberty cranks out millions for new, unecc. buildings that can be held off instead of improving things that are in desperate need of renovations is dumb. Jerry has donors left and right, appearently, why can't we spend some of that to make upgrades?

[TallyW]

You're right... you can complain. We're right... it sounds like a baby. The Alumni on the board went to LU when it was 1000% worse. The difference is that the Alumni on the board have an appreciation for their education and everything God did in their lives during those years. There is a different respect for the school and all it's become in a VERY SHORT 35 years. It is because students pay 13k and come back each year that alumni often wonder why they keep complaining.

You knew what the rules were... you knew the parking situation (and other posters are right... most freshman don't have cars at most schools), You knew that the school was booming.... These are things that you and other students know when you come to LU (or come back each year) so stop whining... you sound unappreciative, ignorant and annoying. It's one thing to talk about possible improvements (i.e. the comments about the new Ice Rink)... It's another thing to call out Dr. Falwell and the University for (of all things) extremely fast growth.

Your post talks about Campus "North". I finished up in 2001 [not 1981 ] and ther was no "North" or "East". You are priviliged to attend LU and be a part of the growth. You attend one of the few schools with basically a guarentee that your degree will mean more to the world in 20 years than it does today.

I don't know you personally and I'm not getting on "you"... I'm just sharing how poorly the complaining reflects on you. Very few men in history have had the impact on the world that Dr. Falwell has had. I'd be a little slower in trying to talk about what a 19 year old thinks he and the University should do about multi-million dollar projects. In time you'll realize and appreciate what is all around you. Yes you pay 13k but it's STILL CHEAPER than what they should be charging for what you get. Calm down and look around. God's doing amazing things on that mountain and in your life. Be appreciative.

[Hold My Own]

3rd floor of Demos is going to be for Health Care and Med students and I believe something else...It just got approved a few sem. ago

As far as the "Major Downfall" of Liberty....I dont see that and I dont think to many other people do either since the school is growing at the fastest rate it ever has...each class is almost doubling the class before...

[SuperJon]

I think what the current students are saying is that if Jerry really wants 25,000 students, then we better do something about parking right now. They're adding 5 new dorms as we speak (east campus I think) so that they can bring in 1000 more students next fall. There's absolutely no way to compare the situation current students are to alumni that graduated probably before 2000. Things surrounding college students right now are so much different than they were in the past. Professors and anyone with a brain recognizes that. With all the new dorms and commuter students, something needs to be done to the parking situation.

My opinion would be to put a parking deck back in the Pit and require all residents to park there. The residents are close enough to classes that they don't need a car to go to class. This would open up P1 and P2 for commuters so that it doesn't take 20 minutes to find a parking space everyday.

One thing that Coastal had that LU does not is a bus system. We had 3 or 4 buses running from the Atlantic Center (North Campus) to the main campus to University Place (East Campus). Every 15 minutes or so there'd be a stop at each one, but Coastal was spread out more than LU is. I would say have 4 buses, and 4 bus stops. One stop at North Campus, one at East, one at Demoss, and one up by the circle. I don't know how much it would cost but it would save a lot of trouble. It's just my opinion on things that could be done to make the school even better.

[SuperJon]

And before anyone says, "You just got here, don't complain" let me say that I love the school. I'm having so much more fun here with "campus life" and for the most part I'm loving my classes and I love what the school stands for. You can always make things better though and that's what I'm giving suggestions for.

[Hold My Own]

I understand where everyone is coming from, and so does Jerry and thats why this is and a new arena has moved to the top of the list...but guys, as a student speaking our parking is no where near as bad as most Universities...Try getting a parking spot at these schools in the heart of the cities....my sister went to VT and had to park sometimes miles away...not to mention when she was a freshman she couldnt even park her car on campus...the walk from the Pit to Demos is about a 10-15 min walk and there's always parking there...I just love to see these Freshman and Soph. drive to class b/c the walk from the dorm is "to far"

[SuperJon]

You just hit the nail on the head. The kids drive from the dorms to class. That's what causes the parking to be horrible.

[Hold My Own]

I couldnt really tell if you were being sarcastic or not, but heres the numbers...there are 8400 students half live on campus and half live off campus...the students that live off campus have to drive and that alone will cause some parking concerns but then add on top of that some that drive from their dorms...Jerry said he has a big announcement coming up in convo...it's going to be 1 of a few things....1st LU may get access to a local hotel that is up for sale right now to house these students until the new dorms are up for the student increase...2nd new parking....3rd about the new or renov. arena...we'll see

if we keep adding 1000 students to the normal enrollment each year several of these things are going to have to be done

Last thing I almost forgot, LU has been speaking to a local man who runs a bus company about having shuttle buses, but I dont see that happening until next year when the student enrollment has increased...somethings going to be done...if enough people speaks LU will listen (History says that much), I dont care if it's about sports, Parking, coaching whatever...

[El Scorcho]

I had a very long post typed up, but really, the bottom line is that students are showing up every semester without even having half a clue as to how LU got to where it is right now. A little background knowledge goes a long way, especially in regard to DeMoss Hall and the current construction on campus.

As for parking, I will never ever ever concede that the walk from the pit to the dorms on the circle is "ridiculous". I'm sorry. I'm from Chapel Hill and if you want to talk about bad student parking and long walks, we can talk about that. The pit to any dorm on the circle just doesn't qualify, IMO.

Lastly, why is that LU students have a knack for complaining like no other group of people in the world? I swear the upper classmen must take about half of every incoming freshman class to some secret Whining 101 Orientation when they get here. It blows my mind how God blesses this school in ways alumni never would have dreamed, and yet new students always seem to find a way to make it seem like it's a terrible place to be. Even if you're just trying to help, it's not the way to go about it. So many people are working so hard to make this place something special and when students complain with every other breath, it's a little more than frustrating.

[Hold My Own]

Very well said...people think it's some fairy tale when they hear that a man stood on bald mtn and pointed down to a forest and said where each Dorm was going to go and other different facilities....but that's no fairy tale that's how we came about

[TDDance234]

Oh, please. Get real. Leave the "We built Liberty in 1971" to Jerry.

Liberty is a different world from when you came here, I just returned to Liberty after a years break (had some health problems had to deal with at home) and it's changed a bunch in just a year. The more they keep building and dumping dorms here with no parking, it's going to cause some major problems. Congestion, lack of parking, etc.

There is no need to attack those who voice concerns with a "holier than thou" attitude. Liberty is different then when you went here. No need to attack.

[PAmedic]

What about the circle? These were meant as temporary dorms in what, 1975? It's now 2006 and they are in about the worse shape possible.

when Mrs2b and I were down the other weekend, we did a lap around the circle (I always do, for old times' sake- and SHE rolls her eyes the whole time). I had the same thought- ol' Dorm 12 is looking scary-bad. Some of the other have AC units that appear to be falling completely out. That truly is becoming bad bad bad. Hopefully the money can be found to re-do the entire circle. It seems possible to knock down every last dorm, rebuild HALF of them but make them all 3 stories, you add capacity but also add more "green" space- benches, lawn (red mud lots). Overall would have a nice athstetic appeal- matching the dorms just off the back of the circle (which were new when SLY and I were there) and help student morale.

In my opinion, its a good idea to severely restrict or eliminate frosh cars on campus too- I don't believe that was allowed way back then- but I could be wrong.

Knowing Dr. Falwell- my bet is this is ALL in the works, sooner rather than later!

[Hold My Own]

they are hoping to have those dorms fazed out...it was going to be within 5 years but the pace that the student body is growing will slow it down greatly

[El Scorcho]

Oh, please. Get real. Leave the "We built Liberty in 1971" to Jerry.

Liberty is a different world from when you came here, I just returned to Liberty after a years break (had some health problems had to deal with at home) and it's changed a bunch in just a year. The more they keep building and dumping dorms here with no parking, it's going to cause some major problems. Congestion, lack of parking, etc.

There is no need to attack those who voice concerns with a "holier than thou" attitude. Liberty is different then when you went here. No need to attack.

If there was no parking, at the end of the day, there would be cars lining the sides of Hwy. 460, Wards Rd. and Candler's Mountain. There is plenty of parking. There just isn't parking that you feel is convenient for you, which is a matter of opinion. And that is where we disagree. I would say we're at an impasse except that, it's already been said that a parking deck is on the way for Campus East, which is where the new dorm construction is being done. That's why I don't understand what the complaining is all about. Everyone has a parking spot right now, and when the new dorms are complete, everyone will still have a parking spot.

Additionally, Liberty is NOT that much different than when I "went" here. Of course, I'm also still here. So, that helps I'm sure.

[TallyW]

Oh, please. Get real. Leave the "We built Liberty in 1971" to Jerry.
-and-
There is no need to attack those who voice concerns with a "holier than thou" attitude. Liberty is different then when you went here. No need to attack.

TD...
I'm glad you're healthy (honestly) and I'm glad that you've been able to return to the school.

I would just like to point out in your own words how you are coming off--

1st line- "Oh, please. Get real. Leave the "We built Liberty in 1971" to Jerry."
3rd to Last line- "There is no need to attack those who voice concerns with a "holier than thou" attitude."

Great. Now we've established that anyone who brings a rebuttle to your complaining is being "holier than thou" AND that it's okay for you to toss more verbal smack at others. Good... yeah.... Great. Glad we had this discussion TD.



Moving on...
When I arrived at LU in '96 I met a TON of complainers. What was funny was that many of them either dropped out, transferred or had a terrible college experience. I also noticed that through this attrition the graduating class was much smaller than the incoming one. I didn't ride a Dr. Falwell bandwagon... I became convinced because I kept an open mind. I got involved. I actually worked to help make a difference. In most areas of life this will cure the complainers. There is a saying that the people doing the work don't have time to complain... they are too busy.

As LU continues to grow (especially at this rate) I predict we'll see a decline in the overall pride for the University and the experience. What's funny to me is that as each person tells a story about faulty equipment or things that were sub-par... most of them also have stories to tell of HUGE transformation via LU. I wonder if part of that experience will be lost by growing so quickly. Not enough mentors for the newbies. As older kids move off campus sooner, the actual campus will be filled with people who don't know anything about the school.. then they'll move off campus... and the cycle grows. This is troubling to me. I honestly hope that through venues like this and someone continuing to tell the "We built Liberty in 1971" speech after Jerry is gone, we can maintain the appreciation of our education and the institution that God used to bring it to us.

Finally, hang around... these problems will be fixed. I'm sure for all of our speculation that some very well paid companies have sat down and both pointed out the obvious and offered their best guidance. For a school growing in 'Fast Forward' sometimes students can lose sight of what's actually happening. If your experience is like most on this board (and most who've graduated), you will spend a day outside of the Liberty bubble and look back with a new appreciation for all that is being done. What can be learned from all of this is that we all have something in common (whether you went in 71,81,01, or 06... We all experienced University life in growing pains. Most institutions we're being compared to on this board have been around for a hundred years or more and have maintained the same level of enrollment. I would HOPE they have figured out the best way to manage that population. This is the joy of LU... take it or leave it. It's a God thing and you're a part of it.

[/i]

[Agent2Be]

Well said TallyW! I have developed an extreme appreciation of LU once I left. When I graduated, I vowed to never set foot in Lynchburg again. Now, I cant wait to get back and visit. I think of the passage in Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." If you put LU's growth in that perspective, we (current students and alumni) will be in good shape in the end.

[SeoulFlame]

You guys said it!!

[Sly Fox]

I know for current students who weren't even born when I was on campus, the following statement may cause some eye-rolling:

Your complaints today are exactly the same as when I was in school.

Back in the day, freshmen were not allowed to have cars on campus. We hated the rule then but it served many purposes. Chief among them was to handle the overcrowded parking situation. You guys keep talking about how this is unprecendted growth at the school. Think again. In the spring of 1985 when the school changed its name from LBC to LU there were a total of 2500 students at the school. That fall over 2500 freshmen showed up. Let that sink in for a moment. The school nearly doubled in size in just a matter of a couple of months. The entire Hilton was rented out as a freshman girls dorms and the entire Harvey Motel (is it still standing?) was a freshman mens dorm at Wards road & Fort Avenue. I was one of those fortunate to not have to stay off campus and I was in Dorm 25. We didn't even have working bathrooms in our dorm the first month I lived there. Driving anywhere on campus really wasn't an option. Those that had cars had to park over next to what was then the guard shack right by the bridge of 460. That was life back then. And while I can't comment on the parking dilemmas of most schools, I can tell you there is practically zero parking at the University of Texas (which has the largest student body of any school in America). Everybody has their cars off campus and hikes a mile or so to class or catches a bus. I'm sorry to hear the death traps we used to ride around on back int he day are no longer in service because buses would certainly alleviate some of the issues being discussed here.

As for the dorms on the circle, they were falling apart back when we were living in them int he Late '80s. So I'm sure they haven't improved any today. They do need to be demolished and replaced. But when you are experiencing this most recent explosive growth spurt its hard to tear down any housing and wait until it can be rebuilt. It needs to be done and complaints about its condition are fair.

I agree with many in this thread who say getting away from campus gives you a completely different perspective on what is going on.

Now how all this relates to mens hoops, I have no idea. But a little healthy discussion is always a good thing.

[LUconn]

Sorry, but this thread was just the epitome of "the lynchburg life"

As for the topic at hand: I lived in Dorm 11 for 4 years. It was very old. Other than the water heater making loud noises occasionally and the sinks falling off the wall when you stood on them (don't stand on them) it was in pretty good shape. Sure the drywall has been repaired a million times and the ac/heating units need replacing every once and a while but these things still serve their purpose. I think that's due to the crazy cleaning rules and the semester end white glove check. They give you a roof over your head, 4 walls, hot and cold air, and water. They're not supposed to be like these new fangled penthouses on the other side of the highway.

[PAmedic]

I wondered the shuttle busses were running as well. Used to take them to the mall (no frosh cars back then, remember?) Man, they were dangerous, but cheap. a buck each way I think- maybe less. Of course, you could get milk outta vending machines for 35 cents back then, but I digress.

Like AGENT said- when I crossed the bridge over 460 for the last time that May- I gave security a "special salute", indicating that I felt he was number one- so to speak. I was sure I would never set foot in VA again. But over time, attitudes change and along with that- your perspective.

finally, to agree w/ LUconn- DON'T STAND ON THE SINKS- very BAD. Also, do not burn trash in the sinks, this also causes the porcelein to crack- which in turn allows the sink to fall to the floor, lighting the carpet and/or your piles of laundry on fire, causing the fire alarms to go off. The fire dept was not amused, nor was the Dean of Men.

[Hold My Own]

I just wanted to let yall know not every student on this board is ignorant enough to take everything LU has done or offers for granted ....I guess it's easy to do though b/c Lynchburg City takes it for granted